Friday, July 13, 2012

The Beauty of Beta Readers


     Okay. I admit it. A year ago, I didn't have a clue what the term "beta reader" meant. I could tell you more about a betta fish than I could a beta reader. After several childhood years tending our family's fish aquarium, I was well acquainted with the beauty of the betta fish--but but not the beauty of the beta reader.

     What a difference a year makes! Although I'm a newcomer to the writing world, I'm a fast learner. Recently, I enlisted the help of 8 wonderful beta readers to critique my  first completed manuscript. Over the next four posts, I will be sharing all I learned about the process and what I've gleaned along the way.

     For those unfamiliar with the term "beta reader", it refers to someone who voluntarily reads an unpublished manuscript in order to give the author constructive criticism. "Betas", as they are often called, are a wise author's first stop in the critique process, before going on to the next level of professional editors and paid critiques. I've noticed several published authors, and writers in the blogging community recommend the use of trusted beta readers to not only test a new author's storytelling ability, but also to edit manuscripts for grammar, punctuation, plot and characterization problems. That's a tall order!


     Did you know the "beta reader" is a fairly new term and is derived from the software industry. According to
 www.wisegeek.com,"beta" refers to imperfect versions of software given to testers for the purpose of  detecting and finding flaws. The tester's purpose is to "break" the software if possible, so the manufacturers can correct the problems and make a more perfect product. Beta readers serve much the same function.


    While some authors struggle to find reliable beta readers, I was blessed that my betas sought me out.

My Bit of Back Story: 
      Originally, I began my novel as a gift to my mother. She'd asked me so many times when I was going to write a book for her, so I began a book I never really expected to finish. But God had a different agenda, and I began writing for Him.
      For 18 months, only my immediate family knew I was writing a novel. Last fall,  my husband let it "slip" to his family, after I won second place in my first contest. He was proud of me, but it was an uncomfortable time. When friends and family members wanted to know more, I couldn't even discuss my plot or characters without blushing and stammering. I couldn't see myself as an author, but they could. Their genuine interest and support spurred me to finish and edit my manuscript.
      Earlier this spring, my  three sister-in-laws and a niece asked when they could read my book. By now, I was ready to let them. I had edited "my baby" to the best of my ability and was proud of my progress. It was time for new eyes to take a look at it. My two daughters, my sister and my mother also joined the group, bringing the total to 8 beta readers. Best of all, they were all experienced readers of the genre.
       From March through late May I sent 4-6 chapters each week to my betas until they finished reading the manuscript. Then I planned a beta critique party for early June, while the story was still fresh on their minds. I learned so much from the process and their feedback, I can't wait to share it all with you in future posts. 
     Before I close, check out the gift I received from my beautiful betas. One of my readers, in cahoots with my husband, printed all 678 pages of my manuscript in binder form, including a lovely front cover scene. As you can guess, when they presented it to me, I blubbered like a baby . . . but I wasn't the only one.
    
  
Coming up: 10 Tips to Enhance the Beta Reader Experience!      


 

10 comments:

  1. I've never had BETA readers! It must be such a treasure to have people you trust and love take your precious work and give you feedback. I love it and am so thankful you were given such great stuff to take and work through with your story. Great things are coming!!!!

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    1. Whenever you are ready, I'd love to sign up to be one of your beta readers! It was a true growth experience and I can honestly say my novel is already better for it. Can't wait to share what I learned.

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  2. BETA Reader number one, reporting for duty!! Just so you know I very much enjoyed your novel and I have always seen you as an author! God gave you a wonderful gift and I'm so proud of the way you've used it to glorify Him! I love you momma!

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    1. Of all 8 betas, you are the most experienced reader on the squad and I value your opinions, critiques and support. Love you, baby girl!

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  3. I relate to this! I remember emailing a writing friend and asking "what in the world is a beta reader?!" and then thinking I needed one ... finding a few...having a variety of experiences with them. My advice? choose wisely! you're spot on here - it is an important part of our craft.

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    1. I'm glad I'm not alone on that learning curve! You are so right when you say choose wisely. I've read about so many problems with the beta reader experience. But I'm a believer in the good outcomes too.

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  4. I'm late responding, but I love that present from one of your betas...how sweet!!

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    1. Melissa,
      Thanks for your comment. There was something about having the manuscript in a black and white form for the first time, that inspired me to work harder on getting published for real!.

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  5. Thank you for the education! I've heard the term - but wasn't sure what a Beta Reader was. How is it different than a critique partner? I would love to have either a group of Beta Readers or critique partner (or both)! I'm praying about it and watching to see where God leads me.

    Congrats, Ava! I can't wait to read the upcoming posts about this experience for you.

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  6. Hi Gabrielle,
    so glad you are learning from the post. Betas are most often readers of the genre, but not writers of the genre. (Although they can be both.)
    Critique partners, are usually the next level up in the critique system, because they have more experience and expertise with the rules and requirements of a genre and most are writers too.
    Betas will not usually be familiar with terms like "dark moment, black moment, the lie, inciting incident," and will not know to check for these things, critique partners should.

    Betas, however can find problems early on and save us writers a lot of embarrassment before we have paid critiques or critique partners. What my betas pointed out to me in my manuscript was so eye-opening, I can't wait to discuss it in the last post on this topic.

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